Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BITTERIE, BIT(T)ERBANK, BUTTERIE, n. The sand-martin, Cotile riparia.Rxb. 1874 in Bwk. Nat. Club's Proc. 289:
The Sand Martin at Holy Island . . . is [called] Butterie; here [sc. at Kelso] it is “Bitterie” and “Bitterbank.”Rxb. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 57; 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Bitterbank (biter bank), Sand Martin. Also bitterie. From its habit of excavating with its bill a nest in sandy banks.
